sevendayweekender – Former France Under-21 defender Maxime Esteve has left Burnley to join Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. Burnley have agreed a reported £27.3m fee for the 24-year-old centre-back. The transfer comes two years after Burnley paid Montpellier £10.2m to make his loan move permanent. Esteve leaves England after becoming an important player at Turf Moor.
Esteve initially joined Burnley on loan from Montpellier on transfer deadline day in February 2024. The move was completed on 1 February under then-manager Vincent Kompany. He quickly became an important member of Burnley’s defence after arriving from French football.
The 6ft 4in centre-back eventually made 100 appearances for Burnley across all competitions. His performances earned recognition from the club and helped establish him as a key defensive option. Burnley later rewarded his progress with a new five-year contract 12 months ago.
Esteve enjoyed one of his strongest periods during Burnley’s 2024-25 Championship campaign. He played all 46 league matches as Scott Parker’s side won the Championship title. His availability throughout the campaign made him a consistent presence in Burnley’s successful promotion season.
The defender’s performances also helped strengthen his reputation after Burnley’s return to the Premier League. However, Burnley suffered another relegation from the top flight. It was the club’s third Premier League relegation in five years, bringing another difficult chapter to their recent history.
Esteve will now leave Burnley for a new challenge in Germany. RB Leipzig finished third in the Bundesliga last season and will provide the defender with European-level competition. The move gives Esteve an opportunity to continue his development in one of Europe’s major domestic leagues.
Esteve Joins Bundesliga Contender After 100 Burnley Appearances
Esteve’s move to RB Leipzig represents another step in his career after gaining extensive English football experience. His time at Burnley included promotion success and Premier League competition. He now returns to continental football with a club that finished third in Germany’s top division.
The French defender began his Burnley career during the 2023-24 season. His loan arrival came shortly before the end of the winter transfer window. Burnley subsequently decided to make the transfer permanent after assessing his performances.
His 2024-25 campaign proved particularly important to his development. Esteve played every one of Burnley’s 46 Championship matches during the title-winning season. His consistency helped provide stability at the heart of Parker’s defence throughout the campaign.
Burnley rewarded his performances with a five-year contract one year ago. The agreement demonstrated the club’s confidence in his long-term value. However, the latest transfer means Esteve will now continue his career outside England.
His move comes after Burnley’s latest relegation from the Premier League. The club has now experienced three relegations from the division within five years. Esteve’s departure follows the team’s difficult return to the Championship.
RB Leipzig offers the centre-back a different competitive environment. The German club finished third in the Bundesliga last season and remains among the country’s leading teams. Esteve will now compete for a place in a defence operating at the highest level of German domestic football.
The reported £27.3m transfer fee also highlights how Esteve’s value increased during his time at Burnley. The Clarets initially invested £10.2m to secure his permanent signing from Montpellier. His performances and development subsequently allowed Burnley to command a considerably higher fee.
At 24, Esteve still has significant years ahead of him at the highest level. His physical profile and extensive recent playing experience provide a strong foundation for the next stage of his career. His previous France Under-21 involvement also adds international experience to his background.
